Start of the quarter-finals: Who should stop Sbornaja?

The Olympic champion finished the group stage with seven wins and a goal difference of 36:7. The Russians are looking for redemption after they lost to Canada (4:5) in the quarterfinals a year ago.

The record world champion's last gold medal was five years ago. The Russians will do everything in their power not to be duped by the USA in the quarterfinals (2013:3) like they did in 8. In addition to the game scheduled for 16.15:16.15 p.m. in Bratislava on Thursday, the program also includes Canada against Switzerland (20.15:20.15 in Kosice), the Czech Republic against Germany (XNUMX:XNUMX in Bratislava) and Finland against Sweden (XNUMX:XNUMX in Kosice).

The Germans' run of success was not entirely expected after the upheaval in the team; five out of seven games were won. The biggest assets of Toni Söderholm's team are goalkeeper Philipp Grubauer and Leon Draisaitl, the NHL veteran of the Edmonton Oilers. If they sting like they did in the 4-2 win against Finland on Tuesday, the DEB selection can also be expected to surprise the strong Czechs. “We hope that we can take the next step,” said Yannic Seidenberg before traveling on the special train to Bratislava. Switzerland as a blatant outsider If the Swiss want to have a chance against the Canadians, they have to avoid penalties. This is shown by the statistics from the group phase. The North Americans achieved a success rate of 52,63 percent in the power play with ten goals scored. This made them the clear number 1. In contrast, the power game has been the big problem for the Swiss so far, who only have a success rate of 11,43 percent. Only Italy, Great Britain (both 0) and Austria, which was ultimately relegated (9,09), were even worse in the power play. Scandinavian duel with clear signs In Sweden against Finland, on paper the favorites are clearly the Swedes, who are aiming for their third World Cup title in a row. While they can count on 21 NHL players, the Finns' squad only includes two players from the strongest league in the world. The Finns' best scorer in the group stage was the 18-year-old Kaapo Kakko with six goals and one assist. The World Cup quarterfinals: Thursday, May 23rd: 16.15 clock: Russia – USA (in Bratislava) 16.15 clock: Canada – Switzerland (in Kosice) 20.15 clock: Czech Republic – Germany (in Bratislava) 20.15 clock: Finland – Sweden (in Kosice)

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

Start of the quarter-finals: Who should stop Sbornaja?

The Russian star ensemble has so far lived up to its role as favorites at the Ice Hockey World Cup in Slovakia. But will they continue their successful run in the knockout rounds?

Suggestions

Comments (0)